Ch.186186. Imperial Decree (2)

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I returned to my personal room and stared with narrowed eyes at the letter Sullivan had delivered.

Recalling my memories…

Despite the Empire being the nation where Elia has the strongest connections, and it being the leadership of the Empire, there aren’t many opportunities to set foot in the imperial palace in Serath’s main story.

The Emperor himself is much more deeply entangled with Elnore than with Elia, and his appearances in the main story aren’t particularly pleasant either.

It’s a fact I’ve mentioned several times, but his biggest role in the scenario is breaking Elnore’s mental state.

From that perspective…

He’s closer to being an enemy. Cecilia XI.

In the game, the villain assigned to Elia was the Chancellor, but it was this person who put Elnore on an express train to hell.

“…But why summon me at this timing?”

I muttered as I lay down on the bed.

The letter stated that I was being summoned to the imperial palace to be commended for my remarkable achievements during the Hero Selection Trials.

‘The content itself is strange.’

If someone were to be summoned, it should normally be Elia, not me.

The event itself is “Hero Selection.” The focus should be on the hero candidate, not the attendant in a supporting role.

Yet the Emperor specifically put my name in the letter, which means “we have business with you, so don’t think about running away.”

“…”

This smells bad.

The continued interest in me from the beginning, and specifically calling me right before the final trial is to be held.

I understand why the Chancellor warned that something might happen.

But even so…

[Are you going?]

“…I have to.”

Not going would cause even bigger problems.

Although Sullivan gritted his teeth and begged me not to go, it’s better to stick my head into enemy territory, ominous as it may be, than to cause civil war or whatever because of me.

“Calivan.”

[Hmm.]

“…What are the expected threats?”

After keeping his mouth shut for a moment, Calivan let out a dry laugh and answered.

[Are you seriously asking an imperial guard who’s sworn loyalty to His Majesty about threats in the imperial palace?]

That makes me snicker too.

Strictly speaking, he’s right.

Guardians are technically part of the imperial guard after all.

But…

“It’s a snake pit in there.”

That’s why he’s the most appropriate person to ask such a question.

Having seen it up close, he would know its ugliness best.

As I’ve mentioned a few times, the Empire is the most powerful nation among the three hegemonic powers in terms of strength. There’s a reason it’s the protagonist faction in Serath.

Yet the reason the three nations maintain a delicate balance is simple.

‘…The leadership is a mess.’

Setting aside the morality of the Holy Pope, at least the Holy Empire has clean traffic control through iron-fisted rule.

This side, despite the leadership holding most of the power, is the most chaotic and corrupt.

The balance patch is just ridiculous.

[…The elder-level high nobles are the problem. The Tristan Dukedom and Kendrid Margrave are somewhat decent people. But the rest? Don’t get involved with them, don’t even meet them. They’re like venomous snakes.]

Calivan immediately voices exactly what I was thinking.

As I listen with an internal sigh, he continues.

[His Majesty himself is… a good person. A gentle person. Some evaluate him as weak, but that’s just because they’re greedy bastards who want to pull others down to fatten themselves up.]

Calivan continued in a calm voice while I was lost in thought.

[But even such a person has exactly one area where he’ll jump in regardless of consequences.]

“…I think I know what it is.”

It’s probably something every citizen of the Empire has heard about at least once.

Though it’s rarely spoken of directly, everyone knows about the terrible curse that haunts the imperial family who claim to be “descendants of dragons.”

[He’ll do anything to survive. That’s probably why he’s interested in you too.]

“…”

I understand what he’s talking about.

Dragon blood.

The curse that stems from it.

It’s similar yet different from the Curse of Severance eating away at Yuria’s body.

While Yuria’s lifespan is shortened because she touched the cursed object called the Severer, the Emperor’s problem is that a human body cannot accept the “dragon” blood flowing through his entire body.

Dragons, considered the purest magical life forms, are among the most powerful races in the Serath world.

The Dragon Emperor at the apex of that species can rival even a vessel with three fragments—

[…Come to think of it, demons aren’t that strong, are they?]

“Excuse me?”

[I mean, there seem to be quite a few beings that can match them. Like that spirit medium from before, and this Dragon Emperor guy. Why are there so many beings that can match demons?]

I give a bitter smile at Calivan’s question.

“…You could think of it that way.”

I turn my gaze toward the window.

My personal room was quite high up, and thanks to that, I could faintly see the void zone beyond the barrier spread by the Lightbearer.

“The vessel and fragments ultimately serve to gather a demon’s power in one place. Not the actual demon ‘themselves.'”

[What?]

“The completion of a demon happens when a vessel with all three fragments connects with the demon’s ‘main body’ in the void zone. It doesn’t end just because all three fragments are gathered.”

And the moment that’s completed…

No joke, the world ends right there.

That’s also why I’m keeping a close eye on Faynol at this point in time.

He’s currently the person closest to triggering the world explosion ending scenario.

That’s also why there seem to be quite a few beings that can match demons despite demons supposedly being the strongest. After all, their completion is still far off.

[…How do you know all these concepts? You’re an interesting guy every time I see you.]

“…I have my ways.”

I give a vague answer and sink back into thought.

‘The curse of dragon blood…’

Indeed, as Calivan said, the Emperor is a gentle person. If he’s showing such incomprehensible interest in something, that would be the most likely reason.

“…”

Even so, it still doesn’t make sense.

No matter how often I’ve done eye-catching, tremendous things, I’m still just a student. It’s not enough reason for one of the continent’s foremost power holders, alongside the Chancellor, to be this fixated on me.

“…I don’t know.”

I’ll find out when I get there.

When has anything ever gone the way I wanted anyway?

I’ll just respond according to the situation.

●

“…”

“…”

The Chancellor’s gaze is piercing.

Inside the carriage entering the imperial palace, I break into a cold sweat as Sullivan, sitting across from me, glares with narrowed eyes.

Befitting the luxurious carriage of the Chancellor, the interior space was spacious, but the air inside felt suffocatingly stuffy.

“…”

“…”

After a long silence…

The Chancellor was the first to break it.

“…You don’t need to be so cautious.”

The Chancellor sighed deeply as he spoke.

“I expected this would happen anyway.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’ve consistently been someone who sacrifices yourself for others. Few people realize self-sacrifice as much as you do.”

“…Thank you.”

I don’t know how to react to such overwhelming praise.

Was I really that great of a person…?

“However.”

While I was smiling awkwardly, the Chancellor continued with a resolute face.

“…Inside the imperial palace, you will definitely need my help. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to rely on me.”

“…”

To be honest, I was already planning to do that if things got really dangerous.

But I’m newly realizing something.

This person’s affinity with me is way too high.

We haven’t even known each other that long, yet every time he looks at me, his gaze drips with honey, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of newlyweds.

-Please don’t leave my side.

I recall the sentence the Chancellor uttered when trying to dissuade me from entering the palace.

‘…That’s strange wording.’

Don’t leave his side?

It’s as if we were previously in a “close” relationship.

There’s been something off from the beginning.

The experience I have with this person and the experience this person has with me are completely different.

As if he knows aspects of “myself” that I don’t know.

“By the way, I’m surprised.”

While I was pondering this, the Chancellor leaned his head slightly toward me.

Uncharacteristically, an amused smile was on his face.

“I thought you would definitely bring the Tristan princess to the imperial palace, but you left her behind and accompanied me instead.”

“…”

That’s because putting the Emperor and Elnore together could lead to unpredictable consequences.

As I’ve said many times, he’s the catalyst that breaks Elnore’s mental state. Unlike with Gideon, there’s not even a reason to improve their relationship.

“…I just thought it would be much better to visit the imperial palace with you, Chancellor. For various reasons.”

“…”

The Chancellor fell silent after hearing my words.

He closed his mouth and looked at me for a moment.

Steadily.

With round eyes.

“…”

What’s going on?

Did I say something wrong?

As I was thinking that…

“…Does that mean…”

The Chancellor leaned his head a little closer toward me.

The smile on his face grew deeper. There was also a slight flush around his cheeks.

“That I’m more reliable than the Tristan princess?”

“…”

“Indeed, I am more dependable than that inexperienced virgin, aren’t I? Is that what you think, Darwood?”

Well, I didn’t go that far.

I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from saying things that would get me split in half if Elnore heard them.

As I forced a smile while inwardly breaking into a cold sweat, the carriage gradually slowed down.

That must mean we’ve arrived at the imperial palace.

“…Haa.”

As soon as I got out of the carriage with a sigh…

An imposing building stood before me, so tall that I couldn’t see the top even when craning my neck far back.

“…”

I’m overwhelmed.

Even for me, who still has memories of a society made of concrete and steel, I can’t recall ever seeing a building this massive, luxurious, and even majestic.

‘…It’s because this entire building was built for one person.’

Of course, there’s also the symbolism of it being a public building tied to national prestige, but the primary purpose of the building being “the Emperor’s house” is a well-known fact.

And beside me stands a person who can play power games on equal footing with the person who calls this place home.

I’m newly realizing just how incredibly powerful figures like the Chancellor and Emperor are.

They live in a completely different world from me, including both my previous life and current one.

After all, I’m just the son of a baron family—

“…”

Ah, it’s a viscount family now.

‘…I wonder how father is doing.’

I took the viscount territory and then dumped it on my father without paying much attention since. I should check on its status when I go back during the break.

“Darwood of the Campbell Viscounty. Is that correct?”

As I was looking around after getting off the carriage, such a voice suddenly came flying.

When I turned my head, a man with the impression of a huge bear was looking down at me. On his back, he carried a massive sword fitting for his stature.

It’s a familiar appearance.

Rad Alexander Barfon.

The Sword Saint of the modern era.

“…”

This is ridiculous.

In terms of martial prowess, he’s among the top handful of people on the entire continent.

And such a person came out to greet a mere viscount family student like me?

“…What brings you here, Sir Rad?”

Sullivan asked in a stiff voice as soon as he saw him.

“Escort duty, Chancellor Sullivan. Direct orders from His Majesty.”

“…”

Sullivan’s eyes narrowed. His brow furrowed as well, indicating he was in quite a bad mood.

“…This man is new to the imperial palace. He must be tired from the journey, so let’s schedule for tomorrow.”

“…”

That’s not actually true.

Thanks to the spatial transfer teleportation stone, the actual travel time was at most an hour or two.

Sullivan was clearly growling, telling him not to interfere, but the Sword Saint responded smoothly without blinking an eye.

“However, His Majesty wishes to see this man today. You may consider it an imperial command.”

“…”

Sullivan’s expression twisted even more.

He was clearly in a very bad mood as the other party was being forceful.

“…It’s evening now. No matter how royal the family is, it’s not courteous to call a guest at this hour after inviting them. Common sense dictates providing accommodations and allowing them to rest—”

This time his voice really lowered to a growl.

It probably carried the implication of “don’t play games, just leave,” but…

Once again, a calm response flowed out.

“You need not worry about that.”

His voice was completely nonchalant.

What followed didn’t match his tone at all.

“Won’t it be fine to let him spend the night in His Majesty’s bedchamber?”

“…”

Excuse me?

Um, what?

What did you say?

“…W-where did you say?”

“The bedchamber. The place with a bed where one sleeps.”

“…”

“His Majesty wishes to spend the night with you, Darwood Campbell.”

Sullivan’s mouth fell wide open.

So did mine.

“…”

No.

What is this, seriously, right after arriving?

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